Kiri Te Kanawa on film
This month, a BBC Four programme celebrates Kiri Te Kanawa’s illustrious career. Aided by Elinor Cooper, the soprano looks back at life in front of the lens
With a BBC TV programme set to celebrate her career, the singer shares a few memories with us
1. Early steps (1950)
Kiri Te Kanawa was on stage from an early age, but not as a singer. ‘This is a picture of when I was in a tap-dancing show,’ she says. ‘I was five or six years old, and they couldn’t find any shoes to fit me so I had to wear socks to make those ones fit! I was so embarrassed.’
2. A Verdi fine start (1974)
Kiri shot to fame after her appearance as Desdemona in Verdi’s Otello at New York’s Metropolitan Opera was broadcast live across the US. But, remembers the soprano, it was an odd twist of fate that saw her on stage that day. ‘It was a very last-minute thing – the other singer called in ill that morning. I thought they were just bringing me in to be cautious, but instead I had a call at 11 o’clock in the morning saying “You’re on at 2pm”. I rushed in to do it, they threw a costume on me and said “Right, off you go!” So I did.’
It was the first time she’d worked with tenor Jon Vickers – her Othello, and a living legend at the time. ‘He was a magnificent person, but it was quite a frightening situation. I went from just hearing about him and having him up on this pedestal to singing opposite him!’
3. Rehearsing Rosenkavalier (1984)
‘This production at the Royal Opera House (of Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier) was a big learning curve for all of us,’ says Kiri, ‘including John Schlesinger, the director.’ This rehearsal picture with Barbara Bonney and Agnes Baltsa captures the mood. ‘It is quite an intense picture! I’d love to know what John was doing.’
4. When Harry met Kiri (1982)
In 1982, Kiri hosted her own BBC television programme. Call me Kiri had an all-star cast of her friends, including tenor Plácido Domingo and comedian Harry Secombe (pictured). ‘What a brilliant photo!’ she says. ‘I just adored Harry. He was very kind, very sweet to me.’
5. Bernstein’s story (1984)
‘This was the first time Leonard Bernstein had conducted West Side
Story.’ says Kiri. ‘We were nervous about it as it was the first time opera singers had sung it.’ Recording was in New York, the international cast – including tenor José Carreras (pictured) as Tony – was flown in from around the world. This photo was almost binned, Kiri recalls, as the fence obscured her face ‘but I wasn’t bothered about that.’
6. Puccini with Pav (1976)
Kiri’s first performance alongside tenor Luciano Pavarotti was as Mimì in Puccini’s La bohème at the Royal Opera House. ‘Because he knew the role so well he only came to the dress rehearsal! It was unnerving, but he was lovely and I just loved his voice.’
7. Singing with Solti (1992)
‘It’s very naughty what I’m doing to him there!’ says Kiri. ‘Georg Solti (centre) always liked me; he was a darling, very kind. We always had a good relationship, and worked together many times in performances, concerts and operas.’ A singer’s relationship with a conductor is of utmost importance, she reflects. ‘Georg was always such a support – there was never a moment where he took his eye off the ball and said he didn’t care.’ Kiri also sang regularly for tenor Plácido Domingo (left) when he made the transition from singing to conducting.
8. Puppy love (2015)
‘This was a performance by some of my students!’ Kiri remembers. ‘I decided to go in and sing, and to take my dogs. I had to have a licence for them to perform! There was someone backstage with a pooper-scooper waiting, but I said to them: “my dogs won’t be doing that.” They were very well behaved.’ All three of Kiri’s Yorkie-pomeranians were born at Glyndebourne. ‘I waited a long time to get dogs,’ she says. ‘I couldn’t have them because I travelled for work. Now they go just about everywhere I do.’
9. Fast friends (2006)
‘This is Flicka [Frederica von Stade] and I singing together at a gala concert at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. We’ve been singing together since 1969! She’s my best friend. When you perform with your best friend, you always want each other to do well.’
10. A royal occasion (2015)
In 2015, Kiri received a doctorate from the Royal College of Music. ‘Prince
Charles presented it to me, and the RCM commissioned that painting of me, which now hangs in the Britten Theatre. I have known the royal family for a very long time. I actually met them before I got to Covent Garden, almost before I left for England! I was going to sing for them, so I was invited on board to have lunch with the Queen and Prince Philip. It was an amazing situation. To then sing at Prince Charles’s wedding, and for him to award me my damehood, was such an honour.’ Kiri at the BBC will be broadcast on BBC Four on 5 March at 8pm. See p105 for further details.